According to the specs, it has HDMI and component output:
http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html

I don't see any mention of composite or svideo there. A large majority of TVs in homes these days don't have either component or HDMI so it the decision to leave svideo and composite out is kind of puzzling. I guess they figure if you have the money to spend on one of these things you already own a capable TV.

Personally, I can't say I have a whole of interest in this though. Verizon FIOS already has on demand SD PPV movies, most for $3.99 and HD on demand PPV is in the works. I don't know if they will cost more though. I'm not going to pay a few hundred up front for this box when it doesn't offer any real advantage over what I already have.

The only advantage I see with this is the 30 day rental window. I don't know why I'd rent a movie and then not watch it for 29 days though (unless movies were only available for rental for a limited time or something)... Especially since once you "break the seal" by playing the movie you have the same 24 hour window I have with Verizon.

The movies on demand seems interesting as it normally is spur of the moment thing for me and I don't have cable.
But...
Will I be able to watch the movies on my TV? It only has composite and s-video in.
Plus will it work with iTunes on Windows?
And will it be available in Canada?

p.s. I also heard that some DVDs are to (in the future) also have encoded files for the iPod Video. Sounds a bit like Sony and the BluRay with added PSP encoded files.

If someone can get a crack out to free the files from the 24 hour/30 day limitation, this could easily become *the* way I acquire movies, as opposed to the usual route (bittorrent). The price seems reasonable to me (once the restrictions are gone anyhow)

I'm confused by this: http://www.apple.com/ca/press/2008_01/apple_tv.html
Are movie rentals going to be offered in Canada or not? The headline says Rent High Definition Movies Directly from Your Widescreen TV but then the press release goes on to say all the features available in the US. Currently the Canadian ITMS TV offerings are crap and movies are nonexistent. I understand the TV situation isn't really their fault but I'd like HD movie rentals please.

Great, a WRT54G with a HDD in a while box.

Time Capsule FTL.

Wait, Time Capsule functions as a wireless router, too? I thought you had to provide your own wireless router. Damn, that's crazy-cool. Too bad I JUST bought a Netgear wireless G.

Edit: In my mind, Time Capsule is the real star of the show.

TimeCapsule is cool simply from the ease with which it sets up-that's nice stuff. The router aspect is also nice, but too f'ing bad for anyone who has an APEB already.

The AppleTV is slightly upgraded-I don't believe HDMI was on there before. As for no composite or svideo (and I'd put money on less TVs with svideo than component right now)-it's meant for EDTV or better. That's where the market is all heading anyway, so they figure why add the parts to support something that is only becoming shrinking in market share.

And #1: what do you do? Mind if I steal whatever you make from you? Dang...ignorant.

The iPod touch has gained some of the iPhone's applications, including e-mail, Google Maps, weather, notes, and stock tracking.

Newton? Is that you?